January
Fees for those wishing to opt out of the Smart Meter program have been approved by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC). If you choose the radio-off option before upgrades begin there is a set-up fee of $60; but it is $88 for those who choose a radio-off meter after meter upgrades begin. There will be a bi-monthly per-read fee of $18.
***
Greenwood Winterfest organizer Andy Shelton is taking a break in 2014. “Sad to say we just can’t do it,” he told council.
***
Demolition of the house on North Kimberley in Greenwood that has not been lived in since it caught fire in April 2003 was brought up by resident Bob Smith during a council meeting. “It is still standing there,” complained Smith. “It’s a hell of a mess—it’s not the only one in Greenwood but it’s the oldest one.”
***
Leona Baird, postmaster at the Greenwood Post Office, retired after 25 years and two months of service.
***
Greenwood City Administrator Robin Dalziel told council they should expect projects covered by Towns for Tomorrow and General Strategic Priorities Fund (GSPF) grants to come in over budget by some $28,000 to $30,000. He said the overruns were caused by a combination of errors made during planning and by the inclusion of a much-needed creek crossing.
***
The Rock Creek and Boundary Fair Association elected Lincoln Blaine as president at its annual general meeting.
There was considerable debate about the Ponderosa Music Festival, with nearby neighbours arguing the event was too loud and played too early into the morning to be consistent with community standards.
***
RCMP discovered a large-scale marijuana grow operation a residence near Beaverdell. Over 1,600 marijuana plants were seized.
***
With nearly $10,000 in prize payout the inaugural running of the Boundary Dog Sled Classics Sprint Races were run last weekend on the frozen surface of Jewel Lake. The race was organized by the Boundary Dog Sled Association.
***
On Jan. 21, Midway police received a complaint of a break and enter into the Petro Canada Gas Station in Rock Creek. Cpl. Christensen told the Times in an email that the suspect kicked in the front glass door and stole alcohol from the store. An attempt to steal cigarettes was made as well. Midway RCMP arrested and charged Joshua Letendre, recently of Rock Creek, with Break and Enter, Theft, and Mischief.
***
The Greenwood Board of Trade (BOT) asked council that camping in the municipal campground be provided free of charge, that stays be limited to two or three days maximum and that signage be used to indicate the availability
February
Midway RCMP seized over 550 marijuana plants when they were conducting a road check looking for impaired drivers on Highway 3 just west of Rock Creek. They intercepted a large U-Haul moving truck loaded with the plants.
***
The regional district has approved two resolutions to be presented to the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) regarding fire departments acting as first responders during emergencies.
***
The 5th annual Midway Old Timers Hockey Tournament was a huge success at the local arena with ten teams on the ice, five men’s and five women’s squads.
***
Midway councillor Marguerite Rotvold was re-elected as chair of the West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Board.
***
Regional district directors are considering granting themselves a 36 per-cent raise; increasing the director’s monthly stipend by $200 per month, plus $200 per month for a technology allowance (which would combine the present $75 cell phone allowance and $175 technology allowance) and establish a car allowance of $50 per month.
***
More than 200 race fans turned out on a cold day to watch the 5th annual Kettle Valley Racing Association Snowmobile Drags at the Midway airport. Race organizer Darrin Metcalf said that five years in the race had some growing pains; the last run didn’t happen until after dark.
***
A quick melt caused by last Thursday’s warm temperatures triggered a flood at Byman’s Bend campground in Rock Creek.
***
Greenwood Council adopted a course of action plan to deal with unsightly premises. The city will chart the worst offenders and letters will be sent to the 10 who top that list in April, giving them 60 days to have their property cleaned up.
***
The Midway Community Association welcomed 81 people to the Valentine’s Day Dinner and a Movie at the village community hall. The $5 deal was intended to ensure that “everyone had an opportunity for an affordable evening out,” said organizer Cat Kappes.
***
The Kettle River Lions Club came to weekly fire practice in Midway last week with a $2,000 cheque to help with the cost of the water tender that was purchased from Grand Forks last year.
***
Robert (Bo) Macfarlane has been appointed principal of Boundary Central Secondary upon Louise Bayles’ retirement.
***
Greenwood took bronze at the 24th annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting in West Virginia.
***
One month after Typhoon Haiyan (said to be the strongest windstorm to ever make landfall) swept through the Philippines, two local high school students, Thinh Atkinson and Anna Danyluk, partnered with the Midway Community Association, the Girl Guides and many members of the Filipino community from Osoyoos to Grand Forks to serve a dinner to raise funds for the village where Midway resident Elnora Faminoff’s family lives.
March
According to the RCMP annual report to mayors and councils crime is on the decrease in the Boundary.
Reductions in 2011 of 19 per cent, 11 per cent in 2012 and a further reduction of 23 per cent in 2013. “We have now seen crime reduced by 48 per cent since 2010,” read the report by Boundary Regional Detachment Staff Sgt. Jim Harrison.
***
Midway RCMP received several reports of break and enters into green mailboxes located in the Rock Creek area.
***
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary is preparing a report on the Anaconda waterworks which proposes creating a regional district service to manage the system.
Greenwood Mayor Nipper Kettle told council at their Feb. 24 meeting that Dr. Ajaero had met with him to tell him that he is planning on moving out of the area.
***
Greenwood City Council issued a statement following an in-camera meeting on March 10 to explain why Councillor Barry Noll was removed as the city’s representative at the regional district table. Minutes released from that meeting alleged Noll had violated section 117 of the Community Charter, “Duty to respect confidentiality”.
At the end of the Feb. 24 regular meeting of council Noll informed council that he would no longer attend in camera meetings without legal representation.
***
Midway council voted to give a $5,042 grant-in-aid to the Midway and Beyond Little Theatre. The grant will cover electrical work on lighting and new curtains.
***
The Midway Hiking and Biking Trails Society reports that they were successful in obtaining a $2,000 grant from the RDKB that will go towards improvements on the trails system.
***
At 77 years young, Midway’s Tannis Killough has decided to hang up her Midway Ice Maidens hockey jersey.
***
At their March 10 meeting, Interior Health public health nurse Cheryl Unger provided written guidance to the City of Greenwood about requirements for setting up a municipal campsite.
***
The four elementary schools in the West Boundary will continue to by administered by one principal next year as trustees of School District 51 voted in favour of continuing the Four Schools Model for the 2014-2015 school year.
***
The Greenwood Board of Trade and the Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will bring the two organizations together as they work to serve businesses throughout the Boundary.
Chambers of commerce and boards of trade are federally regulated by Industry Canada, and the two organizations are not allowed to operate in the same territory.
April
Pownall Contracting of Rock Creek has been chosen by city council to build the new $122,948.95 concession and washroom building at Barbara Diane Colin Memorial Ball Park in Greenwood. This is phase one under the $263,200 Community Recreation Program funding the city received in 2012.
***
At about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25 Midway RCMP received a report of a theft in progress from a residence on North Government St. in Greenwood.
***
Energy efficiency upgrades will be undertaken at the Midway village office this year as some windows will be replaced and exterior walls upgraded.
***
Lisa Siewert and six BCSS students who recently returned from Guatemala presented a report on their trip to the community.
They travelled to San Antonio Aguascalientes from March 13-24 to work with Hope for Home, a home for children with disabilities. Lisa said the team spent their spring break learning firsthand what life is like in the third world.
***
The Heritage Credit Union marked its 10th anniversary of the West Boundary branch in Greenwood.
***
The Greenwood Demolition Derby organizers have been told by the city that if the tires at the demo derby site are not claimed by May 1 the tires will be disposed of by public works.
***
Doug Jensen and Petra Picher opened Greenwood City Foods Market and Deli in downtown Greenwood.
***
Bridesville Hall was spun back in time as Boundary Theatre produced The Speakeasy – it played to two sold-out crowds. After a wonderful dinner provided by the volunteers from the Bridesville Community Club, those in attendance were treated to a grand theatrical event with a delightful storyline covering the period from the mid ’20s through the crash of 1929.
***
The 3rd annual Spring Bazaar in Midway was held last Saturday in the Community Hall. There were 34 tables booked and proceeds from the day went to the Midway and Beyond Little Theatre Group.
***
A lottery grant of $65,000 sponsored by the Kettle River Lions has been approved. The money will be used to buy equipment for the expansion of fire protection services by the Midway Fire Department to the Kettle Valley.
***
The Kettle River Lions have supported the library in Midway in their expansion of the children’s summer program to the entire West Boundary. The area covered is from Midway to Bridesville to Beaverdell.
***
The basement of St. Jude’s church was flooded when city crews constructed a berm to divert water from flooding the sewer lift station beside the ball park. The problem was made worse because the ground was frozen and the water didn’t soak in, instead it ran overland and flowed in through two basement windows.
May
The West Boundary Sustainable Foods and Resources Society (FAR) has received a New Horizons for Seniors Grant for a community-based program they call Seed to Table—Passing on the Knowledge.
***
Greenwood’s Well Upgrade Project funded by a $394,400 Towns for Tomorrow infrastructure grant has been completed. The grant provided 80 per cent of the funding.
***
The Kettle River Artists hosted their second annual Art Show at the Rock Creek Pavilion, in conjunction with B.C. Arts and Culture Week.
***
School District 51 has announced that Anna Lautard has been appointed vice-principal of West Boundary Elementary School effective Aug. 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015.
***
After flip-flopping twice on the issue, Greenwood council rejects a bylaw change that would allow residents to keep laying hens.
***
The Boundary Invasive Species Society has a busy summer ahead of it as the focus of the group expands beyond weeds to include aquatic invasive species.
***
There was plenty of action this year for the Grade 7 students chosen to be 2014 Mounties for a Day. Pilot Greg Burgess flew RCMP Air 3 helicopter from Kelowna to team up with local RCMP, highway rescue and ambulance to make the day even more exciting. The ride along RCMP Mounties this year were students Riley Condon, Faith Zitko, Robert McLaren and Portia Grandmaison.
***
Administrator Penny Feist reported the radio repeater changeover is completely done now, with the fire department now entirely on their own frequency.
***
BCSS Grade 12 student Brandon Millet won silver and a nomination for a BC Hydro Science Fair Scholarship worth $2,000 in the Senior Experiment category at the West Kootenay and Boundary Regional Science Fair in Nelson with his homemade electrolytic hydrogen fuel cell.
***
Teachers across the province began rotating strikes as part of stage two of job action.
***
Continued from page A5 Schools in the Boundary area will not have to make any major cuts to programs or staff for the 2014-15 school year under the budget adopted by the trustees. A deficit of $441,000 was covered by surplus funding from the previous year.
***
Greenwood administrator Robin Dalziel reported in the process of renewing business licenses it was found that about 15 to 20 of the estimated 60 to 70 businesses in the city did not have business licenses. Letters have been sent to all those affected.
***
A frustrated Greenwood resident (now mayor, Ed Smith) decided that the only way to get the city’s attention about the appearance of the former demolition derby site was to start moving the mess to City Hall.
***
The City of Greenwood has been in discussion with a Kelowna based company about the possibility of establishing a medical marijuana production facility in the old elementary school house on South Government Street. Mayor Nipper Kettle let the Times in on the proposal a couple of weeks ago when he confirmed that rumours circulating in the community were true. The story was also confirmed by Adam Sexsmith, co-founder and vice-president of production with CorCanna Group Inc.
***
Midway and Greenwood are both losing Saturday postal services. Canada Post used a form letter to alert its customers in the two communities that Saturday retail services will end effective June 21, 2014.
***
Police located and arrested two males by the Canada/U.S.A. border in the same area where United States Border Patrol located several bags of a controlled substance on their side of the border.
***
The Royal Canadian Legion Greenwood and District British Columbia No. 155 Branch turned 75 years old.
June
About 25 BCSS students joined others across the province in a protest spread via social media on Wednesday morning. Local students stood beside Hwy 3 in Midway protesting the impact of job action being taken by their teachers.
***
After an extensive review, deputy chief forester Diane Nicholls announced that the allowable annual cut for the Boundary Timber Supply Area (TSA) will remain at 700,000 cubic metres for 10 years.
Things have changed in five years since 2009 when the Village of Midway adopted their economic development plan and the council felt it was time to give it a tune up. After all, the name Vaagen didn’t appear anywhere in the earlier plan; and the goal of building a highway rest stop had been dropped when the full costs became known. So they called in Richard Toperczer, regional manager of regional economic operations at the Vernon office of the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skill Training and Responsible for Labour.
***
Midway council has given the go ahead to The Spot gas station to purchase a 7.6 metre strip of village property between the northern edge of Palmerston between Florence and Chamblet. The purchase of the property would allow the pump islands to be moved to the south to provide better access on the north side of the pumps.
***
Marshall Lake was stocked with fish on June 1 and a dock should be installed by the end of June.
***
Midway knows Nicole Ferrier as a very talented photographer, but since May 15 she’s been wearing a different hat. That was when she officially began her new job as director at the library.
***
The Midway arena was filled with proud parents and anxious grads as Boundary Central Senior Secondary celebrated its 44th commencement ceremony last Saturday. There were 27 graduates in the Class of 2014.
***
Teachers go on full strike.
***
Westbridge Thrift Shop is celebrating its 10 year anniversary.
***
School trustees approved a GSM (gender sexual minority) policy for the district.
***
Midway adopted a bylaw to establish a fire department and to regulate fire protection, suppression and prevention that replaces Bylaw #381.
This bylaw is needed to provide language accommodating the rural fire protection service soon to be offered by the village. Property owners in Kettle Valley and Rock Creek will have the opportunity to contract fire protection response beginning July 1.
***
RCMP say there has been a rash of break and enters and thefts. A number of vehicles were recently broken into at the Vaagen Mill parking lot.
***
Command of the Midway RCMP detachment has been taken over by Cpl. Judson E.T. Mayes, who is replacing Cpl. Kevin Christensen.
July
The school year ended with no contract in place for the teachers union and picket lines in front of all of the schools in the district.
***
Earl Lehmann returned from his nine-week trip to the Philippines in early April. It was his second trip in as many years to help the people, especially the children, on the island of Samara.
***
Canada Day celebrations stretched across the West Boundary beginning with a party in Rock Creek and ending with fireworks sponsored by the Greenwood Board of Trade in Lions Park at dark.
***
The Greenwood Improvement Society (TGIS) has received a $10,000 seed funding grant from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to support a feasibility study to determine the need for a senior housing facility in Greenwood. ***
George Longden of the Phoenix Foundation presented the Midway Community Association a cheque for $4,000. The money will be used to purchase eight theatre lighting fixtures for use by Midway and Beyond Little Theatre. Heritage Credit Union gave another $4,700, the first of three annual instalments toward the purchase of a portable stage system for the theatre that will be located in the Midway Community Hall.
***
Canada’s Smallest City (aka Greenwood) celebrated its 117th birthday with Founder’s Day 2014.
***
The newly opened Rock Creek Visitor Centre offers tourists another opportunity to discover what the Boundary has to offer them.
***
Greenwood council approved a payment of $11,203.73 to Young Anderson Barristers. “Legal costs” were given as the reason for the cheque. In May when the budget for the year was being developed budget line items across the board were held steady or cut as much as possible, with one notable exception. The amount set aside for legal fees increased from $3,653 to $20,000. When asked at the time why that item was going up so dramatically, Kettle replied, “That is something we can’t tell you about.”
***
The Midway Partnership Fund handed out grants totalling more than $6,000 for projects benefiting the people of Midway and area. Funding went to the new picnic table at the library, reconditioning of the caboose at the museum, an upgrade to the washroom facilities at the curling club, and to help provide equipment for the Midway and Beyond Little Theatre.
***
The 15th annual Kettle River Family Fun Day happened in Midway’s Riverfront Park. There are new horseshoes tournament champions in 2014. Southpaw Tom Sheldon and his partner Dave Sherbinin took first; finishing second were Dick Dunsdon and Ken Essery.
***
G-Force Real Estate Inc. of Vancouver, B.C. has been appointed marketing agent under a foreclosure action to sell most of the assets of Mount Baldy Ski Corporation. They state the primary objective is to find a buyer who will be able to complete an acquisition in time to operate the resort for the upcoming 2014-15 ski season.
***
An estimated 200 BCSS alumni, their spouses and family mustered for dinner on Saturday night as the BCSS 45-year reunion brought many old friends together in Midway’s James G. McMynn Park for the first time in decades.
***
The Kettle River Lions Club provided funding to Parkview Manor to purchase two evac chairs valued at over $3,500.
August
The second annual Boundary Bash Social 10s Rugby Tournament was bigger by one team this year than last; Jewel Lake resident Oliver Glaser invited his Vancouver club, the East Vancouver Scribes, and a few other teams to Greenwood for some rugby and socializing. Three other men’s teams on the pitch were the Nelson Grizzlies, Trail Colonials and Grand Forks Wanderers. One team of women came this year.
***
A rapid response by the Midway Volunteer Fire Department last Thursday morning quickly knocked down a grass fire beside the Trans Canada Trail near the Kettle River Museum.
***
The Midway Community Association hosted the second annual Picnic in the Park for everyone in the community and surrounding areas at James G. McMynn Park.
***
Teachers in the West Boundary returned to the picket line on Tuesday morning outside of Greenwood Elementary School. The teachers, who have been without a contract since June 2013, walked off the job two weeks before the end of the school year last June. School District 51 (Boundary) Board of Education issued a press release acknowledging the impact the current labour dispute is having on students and warning parents that school opening is in jeopardy unless a deal is reached by Sept. 2.
***
A book launch and author signing was held at the Greenwood Museum for former Greenwood resident Chuck Tasaka’s latest—and he says last—book telling the stories of the Boundary and its families. Tasaka was available to sign a copy of the new book My Hometown, My Furusato: Family History of Greenwood- Midway.
September
B.C. teachers and the province were unable to reach agreement on a contract so parents had to find other options for their children at the start of the school year.
Key issues in the contract dispute are wages, class composition and class size.
***
Midway council continues to consider how to fill the fire chiefs’ position when Walter Osellame retires.
***
Owners of The Spot Gas Bar have accepted the village’s price for the land they are purchasing along Palmerston Avenue. The price was determined by an independent assessment and the sale will proceed in October.
Purchase of the land will allow the gas station to relocate their gas pumps to a better location further away from Hwy 3.
***
Council approved a proposal by School District 51 (Boundary) to create a learning circle in Entwined Tree Park. The village had to commit to keeping it in the park and to continue to maintain the park.
***
The grave of John Jarrett, a man feared by many in the days of yesteryear, was the scene of a service and marker dedication. Jarrett rode with the James/ Younger gang in his early years, died at Sisters Hospital in Greenwood in 1906 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
***
At the regular meeting of Greenwood Council on Sept. 8, council agreed to permanently close the entrance to North Government on Hwy 3 as recommended by Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
***
Greenwood council voted to ask the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary planning department to put the Greenwood Official Community Plan on their 2015-2016 work schedules.
According to Mayor Nipper Kettle the OCP review is long overdue since they are meant to be a reviewed every 10 years and the last one for the city was signed in December 1996.
***
The new TELUS cell tower on the Bugeaud property just east of Ingram Bridge went live last week.
***
Midway RCMP responded to a complaint of a bear in Midway at approximately 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9, when a male youth was riding his bike and feared for his life when an adult sized bear walked towards him.
***
The City of Greenwood announced that Dr. Michael Slatnik will be starting his private practice at the Greenwood Medical Clinic in December 2014.
***
John and Jan Kohlhauser, who moved to the Boundary six years ago from Tumbler Ridge, were acknowledged for their many hours of service to the library and museum by Midway mayor Randy Kappes in a Volunteer of the Year Ceremony.
***
The annual Greenwood pumpkin weigh-in was won by Ray and Karen Renaud with their 62 kg (137 pound) entry.
***
The 69th annual Rock Creek and Boundary Fall Fair was special because it was also the 100th birthday celebration of 4-H in British Columbia. The Boundary has been participating in 4-H for 68 years.
***
A tentative deal has been struck between the BC Teachers’ Federation and the government in the teachers’ strike. The start of the school year was two weeks behind schedule.
***
The Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce was awarded the 2014 Communications Award for Chambers with under-200 members by the British Columbia Chamber Executives organization. Black Press sponsored the award.
***
Grant & Holley Harfman won the 2014 Dave and Cathy Matthews trophy after beating out the competition in the Rock Creek Fall Fair Lamb Carcass Class.
Finishing first this year in the beef carcass class was first-time participant Ben Macfarlane. Macfarlane is a member of Boundary C 4-H with a ranch horse project.
***
The Boundary Creek Times announced that their office has returned to the West Boundary. We are now located at 263 South Copper St. in Greenwood.
October
The Village of Midway and City of Greenwood were formerly awarded a community forest by Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities annual convention. The West Boundary Community Forest agreement will have an allowable annual cut of 23,000 cubic metres per year and an initial term of 25 years.
***
The City of Greenwood is getting a $10,000 infrastructure-planning grant that will pay for a wastewater utility 20-year financial plan; a key step in get ting the sewer plant upgraded.
***
Village council turned down a second request from The Bridge for a property tax exemption. The Bridge is a charitable organization based out of the old Midway Church.
***
Councillor Marguerite Rotvold was recognized at the 2014 UBCM convention for her 25 years of service as a local elected official.
***
Thanks to the Phoenix Foundation, the Boundary Theatre Group and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, the Rock Creek Health Centre Park now boasts four outdoor exercise stations.
***
The 2014 BC Seniors Games had three competitors from the West Boundary. Les Jackman of Rock Creek took silver in the Men’s 70-74 Division A Golf with a score of 148. His wife, Donna, won a bronze Women’s 70-74 5,000 m Power Walk with a time of 45:16:48. She also placed 4th in the 10 km Power Walk finishing in 1:34:19.
Midway’s Gladys Brown brings home silver in the Women’s 75-79 Triple Jump with a distance of 2.7 m.
***
A year in the making, the 2014 Vital Signs report on the Boundary was released. The community check-up measures the vitality of the area communities, identifies significant trends, and supports action on issues that are critical to quality of life. This report updates one done in 2009.
***
The City of Greenwood is over budget on its legal account by about $10,000.
***
New minimum training standards for firefighters have come down from the Office of the Fire Commissioner. Titles The Playbook, the new standards will required records be kept of firefighter’s training.
***
Midway RCMP report that in the early morning hours on Friday, Oct. 17 they received a complaint of a man ramming his car into his father’s car while driving from Rock Creek to Midway. Police arrested one man in Greenwood later that morning.
In a separate incident, police responded to a call about a forcible confinement at a legal marijuana grow operation in the Bridesville area.
***
Boundary resident Heather Hollingsworth has scored another triumph in the art world. Her piece “A Break in the Clouds” won Best Landscape at the Annual International Representational Show (AIRS) exhibition held at Granville Island in Vancouver.
November
The Greenwood Improvement Society (TGIS) has obtained funding from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to conduct a feasibility study regarding building a seniors’ housing complex in Greenwood.
***
Unanticipated cost overruns on the McArthur Centre kitchen renovation project has forced the Greenwood Community Association to ask the city for help in paying for the work.
As originally envisioned the project was to replace appliances and install a dishwasher for a cost of $63,000. After the building inspector had reviewed the plans the cost had increased to $70,000. Then the health inspector added more requirements and as work went forward electrical and plumbing issues continued to add to the costs.
The project brings the heritage building into compliance with health regulations. CAO Robin Dalziel said that today the project has a revised budget $115,000. The community association received a grant for $25,000, $8,600 in donations and put in $53,000 of their own toward the project. Dalziel explained that, as landlord for the building, the city is liable for $20,000 in maintenance and repairs. But a shortfall of $8,400 remained.
The city contributed an additional $7,500, for a total of $27,500 coming from the Gas Tax fund account.
***
A Job Creation Project in Greenwood is seeing work done at the A-frame and at O’Hari Park.
***
On Nov. 4, Midway RCMP were alerted to a call in Greenwood of a male going through unlocked vehicles at dusk, described as a lone male, wearing a dark hoodie.
***
The first post-fair meeting of the Rock Creek and Boundary Fair Association heard that income for the 2014 weekend was up and expenses were down compared to 2013.
Attendance was up too, according to the wrist band/ day pass count. In 2013 there was 8,773 given out, and in 2014 there were 9,519. Sims said that Saturday was busier this year than last, but Sunday was not.
***
The results of the 2014 local government elections bring a new director for Area E, a new mayor for Greenwood and the status quo in Midway. Vicki Gee has taken the Area E regional director seat from Bill Baird, a seat he has held for the past 22 years.
Richard Dunsdon with 167 votes, followed by Darrin Metcalf 148, Gary Schierbeck 139, and Marguerite Rotvold 126. Martin Fromme received 114 votes and Earl Lehmann 71. Voter turnout in Midway was pegged at 42 per cent.
Greenwood Mayor Nipper Kettle was replaced by first-time candidate Ed Smith and rookie candidate Nola Tutti took the most votes in the five-candidate race to fill the four seats at the table. With 290 votes, Tutti finished far ahead of the three incumbents on the ballot who were all re-elected: Lee Cudworth 239, Colleen Lang 214 and Darla Ashton 213. First-time candidate Christopher Yates came in very close with 210 votes.
West Boundary school trustees were acclaimed. Mark Danyluk is replacing Vicki Gee and Cathy Riddle and Rose Zitko have returned for another term.
***
The West Boundary Branch of the Heritage Credit Union has made a donation of $2,500 to the Greenwood Community Association for their kitchen renovation project at McArthur Centre.
***
Council approved an application by Lawrence Morgan of Grand Forks to use Barbara Diane Colin Memorial Ball Park on Aug. 15, 2015 for a car show.
***
A fire at a trailer on North Kimberley Avenue in Greenwood caused severe damage and forced a family out of their home. Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department Chief Roy Terashita said the call came in around 2:30 on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
***
Effective Nov. 17 a voluntary registration system for off-road vehicles is in place in British Columbia. The program does not become mandatory until June 1, 2015.
However, the early registration will provide plenty of notice and allow for a smooth transition to the new system.
December
Midway and Beyond Little Theatre produced its first play in the Midway Community Hall. All That Glisters played over two nights to sell out crowds.
***
The Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal was awarded to Gordon Kamigochi in recognition of his 20 years of “loyal and exemplary service to the public security of Canada” with the Midway Volunteer Fire Department.
***
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 155 (Greenwood) has distributed the proceeds from their weekly meat draw to the community.
A cheque for $1,000 was given to the Agnes Srahulek Trust Fund.
A cheque for $500 went to the Greenwood Food Bank that operates out of Evangel Chapel.
The Greenwood Seniors Community Christmas Dinner received a cheque for $250. The residents of Parkview Manor were given $500.
***
The small, unincorporated township of Bridesville is seething with anger and frustration. A significant uptick in police calls to attend the town site prompted the RCMP to call a public meeting in the community hall. There have been 53 calls to Bridesville so far this year and at least six arrests.
The mid-day public meeting on Nov. 4 brought out over 50 people.
***
Service fees for water, sewer and garbage collection in Greenwood will be going up by four per cent in 2015. The increase will equal 6¢ per day.
***
A new service has started in the Boundary that will help direct those in need of legal advice to the information they need. Legal services outreach worker Barry Pratt will be funded four days per month under a contract with the Legal Services Society (LSS) program called the Community Partners Program.
***
“The Community Forest Board met to give final approval of the community forest management agreement with Vaagen Fibre Canada ULC.